Firefighter Hiring & Training

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Edwardsville Fire Department is always looking for quality candidates to join our team. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage all eligible, able-bodied persons with an interest in the fire service to apply.

Competitive Testing Process

Prospective firefighter / paramedics for the Edwardsville Fire Department are ranked through a competitive testing process administered through the Edwardsville Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. The process follows the State of Illinois Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Act. The specific guidelines can be found in Section 10-2.1-6.

The test is given by the Board every two years to create an eligibility list good through the next two years. Generally speaking, you must be between the ages of 21 to 35 (unless you have previous full-time experience with another Illinois department). You must also have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license.

Written Portion

The test is a third-party written exam. Preference points are then credited for things like previous full-time FD experience, paramedic licensure and experience, active military, etc. Those passing the written test will be subject to a preliminary background screening and must pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification. Find more on the CPAT. The St. Louis County Fire Academy is one of several sites available across the region to get this certification, which is good for two years.

Rank Order

Testing is highly competitive. EFD prides itself on the quality of its employees, and seeks those traits in its applicants. Once the final list is posted you will know your ranking. Should a position on the Department become available, the Board follows the rank order of the list unless special circumstances dictate otherwise.

A much more thorough process takes place at this stage, including the following items which occur before a final job offer is made:

Background Check

Drug Screening

Interview With the Board

Medical and Psychological Exams

Polygraph

Work Fitness Test

Beneficial Qualities

EFD personnel are frequently asked the best path for preparing for a job in the fire service. Our experience shows us that most career departments provide some form of EMS, so those who pursue paramedic licensure are highly sought. Beyond that, fire science classes are available through local colleges. Stay physically fit, and prepare for the mental / emotional stressors involved with being a firefighter.

Firefighter Training

NFPA standards on fire training are:

Edwardsville Fire Department provides more than just fire engines. We provide emergency medical response, fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response and a whole lot more. Under the federal response model this is referred to as 'all hazards response'.

Responding to these calls for service require highly trained individuals. Many factors drive the training that your firefighters receive, from the National Fire Protection Association Standards, and insurance industry training guidelines (at 20 hours a month per firefighter), to Illinois Department of Labor standards for training proficiency, along with certification requirements from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Under the all hazards response envelope, EFD provides to the community the following services: EFD training includes:

Paramedic Training

Every Edwardsville firefighter is also a Illinois State licensed paramedic. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires each paramedic attain 120 hours of approved continuing education each year.